Asali’s first day

What do you do when a crazy pandemic is on the way and you’re gonna be locked in the house for who knows how long? 

You adopt a puppy, of course.

We had been getting closer to thinking about adopting another dog after the loss our dearly loved Roxy of 13 years. Two years had passed, and we were starting to walk the trails saying hi to all the dogs that were inclined for a pat. Mentioning our thoughts to Roxy’s old trainer (yes, she had her moments, shall we say) was a little like writing a blank cheque. Tonya sent us little video clip of all the dogs at the shelter she volunteers at. Before we went to visit, we made a pact: no rescue dog comes home on the day we first visit. So we were good, and left without a puppy. But then we then heard the news: Summit County is going on lockdown tomorrow at 9 PM. Add in the danger that dogs in shelters would also be locked in for 8 weeks, which was not a good thing for a puppy needing love, socialization and development. 

The decision was easy and quick.

We’d met a cute, very nervous 5 month old girl, and thought, “why not? What could possibly go wrong?”

I shot down the next day to sign the paperwork to foster as she was too young and hadn’t yet been spayed. I put Asali (Swahili for Honey), some food, a few toys and treats in the car and we started life with a puppy again with Tonya’s words in the back of my mind “Remember, she knows NOTHING.”

Oh, did I mention Asali was rescued from an Indian reservation in New Mexico? She hadn’t been socilalized at all.  She had never been in a house, never walked up or down steps, didn’t know what a garage door was, much less seen kids on bikes and all the fun things in day to day neighborhood life. She knew nothing. And this new big world was scary, and exciting, with the right person to show her. 

The adventure began, with an inquisitive smile for both of us.